A week of tane hauora
By Te Hiku Hauora
Men top every one of the 10 most common causes of death in New Zealand. Many of those deaths may have been prevented, or conditions treated earlier, if men took better care of themselves. And a good way to start is by getting a regular health check.
Next week (June 8-12) is Men’s Health Week, and Te Hiku Hauora GP clinic registered nurse Phil Winnicott encourages all men to be proactive about their health and have regular check-ups with their doctors.
“As men, we have a tendency to think of ourselves as 10 feet tall and bullet-proof, and only go to the doctor when we’re really sick,” says Phil.
“And on occasion, that might mean that a condition has advanced more than it needed to.”
So why is it that men are less likely to seek a health check from their doctor than women? Here are some possible reasons. Embarrassment — the feeling that having a health check is not a manly thing to do, or apprehension that they may be laughed at or made fun of by their mates and peers. Time constraints/work commitments — men may feel apprehensive about asking their boss for time off. They may feel that if they do they will be “letting the team down.” They may not feel they have the time to fit in a health check due to schooling and sporting/activity commitments. Attitude towards health — men are, at times, quick to believe that they are immune to serious health issues or have the ‘She’ll be right mate’ attitude.
Comedian Mike King says the No 1 toxic disease for men is their attitude; “The ‘harden up, stay staunch’ disease of silence is affecting our young men.”
What can you get in a 15-minute health check? Fifteen minutes may not seem long, but several things to monitor a man’s health can be completed in that time. Blood pressure, pulse rate, weight, height, smoking status and daily activity levels can all show a man’s risk for a heart attack or stroke. A blood test is a really simple way of checking sugar levels, cholesterol levels, iron and thyroid levels, along with kidney and liver function. When the blood test results come in (usually the next day) the practice nurse can then ring you to discuss the results.
Simple eh? So come on guys, ‘man up’ and make a health check appointment with your doctor or practice nurse. If not for you, then do it for your whanau.